Lifting mechanism



Feb. 4, 1958 D. F. GEBHART LIFT-ING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 16, 1956 INVENTOR. DAVE F 'GEBHHET BY W7 4% A 7' TOENE rs.

LIFTING MECHANISM Dave F. Gebhart, Auburn, Calif.

Application February 16, 1956, Serial No. 565,832

6 Claims. (Cl. 294-109) This invention relates to a lifting mechanism for lifting articles and means to release the article-supporting members from lifting engagement therewith. More particularly, in the embodiment described herein, the invention is shown accompanying a tonglike structure for booking into one or more bales of hay, cotton, and the like.

In agriculture and industry it is frequently necessary to lift bulky packages which are particularly diiiicult to handle. One major difficulty in the handling of such items is providing an effective means for connecting the packages to hoisting or lifting devices. In many cases in the past, it has even been necessary to manually tie a line around the package and hook the line to a suitable hoist. This process was not only time-consuming, but also hazardous in that the line could possibly break, therein allowing the package to fall, causing injury to the article as well as to present a possible hazard to persons nearby.

One principal object of the invention is to provide a self-actuating latching mechanism for two flexible linkages which is caused to latch onto the linkages when the linkages are moved to a predetermined position within the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guide and latching mechanism for two flexible linkages interconnected at a predetermined point by a pin in which the pin is arranged to act against a cam of the mechanism to cause the cam face to lock the pin within the mechanism when the pin is drawn into the mechanism by the linkages.

A further object of this invention is to provide a release mechanism for forcing package-supporting members of a hoist to pivot out of engagement with a supported package.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a latching mechanism for a lifting structure which enables weight transfer from the body of the structure to movable load-engaging members of said structure and vice versa.

Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an interconnecting mechanism between a hoist and hard to handle packages, with a latch mechanism having a simple, manually operated release to effectuate an easy release of the packages upon actuation.

And yet still another object of the invention is to provide ton -like members pivotally mounted to a support beam with the members arranged to engage with a plurality of bale-like packages in such a way that the load weight forces the members into tighter load engagement upon lifting of said structure.

And yet still another object of the invention is to provide a bale lift with two article engaging members which may be set upon an object or objects to form a connection therewith. A flexible linkage connects the members through a linkage guide and latch assembly to a lifting mechanism. The guide and latch mechanism is arranged to clutch into the flexible linkage in order that the members will remain in engagement with the article or articles to be lifted through a lifting operation. The latching and guide mechanism is also provided with a trigger release which disengages the latching relationship between the latching and guiding mechanism and the flexible linkage, therein causing load weight via the linkage to move the members from engagement with the object or objects being handled.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the lifting device shown with the article engaging members piercing two adjacent bales.

Figure 2 is a similar view of Fig. l with the article engaging members in a load releasing condition.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the latching mechanism of the invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken at line 44 of Fig. 3 shown in a load locking condition.

Figure 5 is a view of the structure of Fig. 4 in the load releasing condition.

Referring now to the drawings, there is provided a mechanism which may be attached to a convenient hoist in order that the hoist may be readily connected and disconnected from bulky packages, such as, for example, bales of hay, cotton, or waste materials. A beam or block A is provided at both ends with a tong-like hook assembly B, each of which is pivotally mounted to the frame so that when the frame is laid upon two adjoining bales C, the hook assembly may be rotated to pierce the bales.

Flexible linkages, such as chains D, are attached to a hoist hook E and interconnected with hook assemblies B, after passing through a chain, guide and latching mechanism F. Beam or frame A is made of a hollow aluminum channel to reduce weight.

A pivot pin 12 is provided on either end of the beam which rotatably mounts hook assemblies B thereto by an arm [3. Arcuate blades 14 are provided at the end of the arms 13 and the lower section of each has a sharply pointed end 15, while the upper portion is provided with an eye 16. Hook assemblies B are operated by handle 17 extending outwardly from blades 14 and upwardly from arms 13. Each blade 14 is arranged in such an are that the entire length of the center line of the blade is an equal distance from pivot pin 12.

Chains D attached to eye 16 via a ring 18 pass to chain guide and latching mechanism F and therefrom upwardly to a ring 19 joining the chains and engaged with hook E. The upper portions of the chains are interconnected by a pin 32.

Mechanism F is an important feature of the invention which enables the chains to be latched to mechanism F when the chains are pulled through the mechanism beyond a predetermined point, such as by pulling blades 14 downwardly. A cam 25 is arranged to enact with pin 32 between chains D and thereby to rotate to a position wherein the cam is locked in position with the pin held within the mechanism by notches in the cam face. Cam 25 is provided with a notch comprising a face 33 and a face 42. The point of intersection of face 42 and the periphery of the cam is designated as 34. The cam is notched at 37 at a point approximately diametrically oppass upwardly on either side ofcatn The cam is Patented Feb. 4, 1958 3 allowed to rotate within throat 35 of mechanism F in cuts 29 and 31 which are of "suflicient size to allow the carnfree movement except where the cam face at point 34 is arranged to make contact with throat 35 above cut 31. This arrangement prevents counter clockwise rotation of the Icam'beyond a predetermined point.

When chains D are drawn through mechanism F, pin 32 engages with face 33 to force the cam to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. However, when the pin is drawn to a predetermined point within mechanism F, point 34 of the cam makes contact with'thrcat '35 thereby preventing further rotationofthe cam and holds face 33 in a condition wherein pin 32 is unable to pass further into the body of the mechanism.

A trigger lever 38 is pivotally'monnted to frameA by a pivot pin 39. Trigger lever 38 is urged against cam by a spring-41. When cam 25 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, .as by pin 32 being drawn into the throat of mechanism F, trigger lever 38 is forced inwardly by spring 41 to engage with notch 37, therein locking thecam against clockwise rotation. When mechanism F is in this condition, cam face 42 is in a position whereinjpin 32 s unable to retract from mechanism F.

7 Operation When pin 32 is pulled downwardly into mechanismfF, as by spreading assemblies B, the pin asserts force against cam face 33, causing the cam to rotate in a counter clockwise direction until trigger lever 38 fallsinto engagement with notch 37, In this condition cam face 42 prevents upward movement of pin 32' and face 33 prevents the pins downward movement. A chain' l'fifis attached to lever 38 and is provided on the end withfa ring 46 which may be pulled to disengage lever iifi'from notch 37 therein freeing cam wheel 25 for rotation in a clockwise direction wherein pin 32 is enabled to act against face 42 and retract from'throat 35.

When two bales Care laid end toend, blockArnay be placed centrally over the junction of the two blades. Blades 14 are then rotated about pivot. point 12 by applying manual pressure to'handle 17 so that the pointed ends 15 pierce the blade. As blades '14 .are rotated into the bale, chains D pull pin 32 into latching mechanism 'F. Thus chains D .pull eyes 16 of book assemblies B inwardly to release the hook assemblies fromthe bales.

In this mechanism hook assemblies have been illustrated as having'blades 14. However, it is clear'that other article-engaging members can be equally well employed.

Although the foregoing invention has been described insome detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practicedwithin the spirit of the invention and scope .of the ,appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A latching assembly fora pair of flexible linkages comprising a linkage guide body, said linkages disposed to move within said body, a cam mounted in :said body between said linkages, a stop member connectingsaid 'lijnio ages, a notch in said cam, said stop memberand' notch arranged to move said cam upon movement of said lin"- ages in one direction toa locked position, means to lock said cam in said locked position, said cam arranged to co-act with said guide 'bDIlY to p event movement of said linkages through said body when said cam is inl'ocke'd position, and manually operable means to'disengage said cam locking meanswhereby said camisjfree t o.moveifrom said locked position.

2. A locking mechanism for a, pair of flexible linkages a second pin engaging face, stop means to stop counter clockwise cam rotation at a position with said first face of said cam adjacent the inside wall of said guide assembly to prevent passage of said pin through said assembly, a cam locking lever pivotally mounted adjacent said assembly, a lever engaging face on said cam to engage said lever and lock said cam against clockwise rotation,

7 spring means to bias said leveragains said cam, said pin disposed to act against said first face of said cam and move said lever engaging face intoloc'king engagement with said lever when'said linkage is pulled down through said assembly, said second face disposed with one end of the second face adjacent the wall of said guide assembly members, a cam rotatably mounted on said guide between said linkages, connecting 'means connecting said linkages, said connecting means arranged to rotate said cam in a first direction when said members are moved to a first position, .c'am locking means actuated by said a cam when saidcam is rotated a'pre-determined distance in said first direction, means comprising said cam to lock said'cfonnecting means within said guide while said camris in said lockedposition, and means to release said locking means whereby said carn'is freed to release said p means.

4. An-Jartic'le lifting mechanism comprising a frame, article engaging membcrscarricd pivotally by said frame, flexible linkages connected to said members, a' gui'de for said linkages disposed centrally on said frame between members, a carnengaging means connectingfsaid linkages, a cam mounted on said guide'to rotate'betweenjsaidlinkages, said cam'having a first notch with a first and a secend face disposed to be engaged by said cam engaging means, a cam locking lever pivotally mountedto said frame, a spring. normally biasing said lever against said cam, a second notch on said cam disposed to engage said lever to lock said cam against rotation in a predetermined direction, said cain engaging means arranged to act against said first face of said cam to rotate said cam to a position where said lever engages means on said guide tolimit movement'of said cam beyond a predetermined degree of rotation and position said first face sufficiently close to the wall of said guide to lock said cam engaging means against downward movement through said guide, said secondface of said cam disposed sufiiciently close to theinside wall of said guide to lock said cam engaging means within said guide against upward movement when said second notch of saidcam and said 1 lever are inlocked condition, and means to disengage said lever .from said second notch of said cam whereby said cam is freed to release said pin. I I

5. An article :lifting mechanism comprising a rigid support "beam, arcuate blades pivotally mounted from ends of said beam, a'handle for each said blade to force said blades into article piercingposition, flexible linkages connected to'free ends of said blades, a guide for each said linkage disposedcentrally=on said beam between-said blades, a cam engaging pin connecting said linkages, a

cam rotatably mounted on said guide between said linkages and disposed to engage withsaid pin, a cam locking lever pivotally mounted. on said beam, springmeans-normalty biasing Lsaid rlever against saidcam, alever engagingnotch-on .said cam disposed to engage said lever to lock said, cam againstrotation .in a predetermined direction, said cam having asecond notchwith a first and a second pin' engaging face, said pin arranged tov act against saidfirst-faceof-said cam tomove said cam to a position where said lever engages with said lever engaging notch of said cam, means to stop rotation of said cam beyond a predetermined point and position said first face to stop said pin from downward movement through said guide, said second face of said cam disposed to lock said pin within said guide against upward movement when said lever engaging notch and said lever are in a locked position, and means to disengage said lever from said lever engaging face of said cam whereby said cam is freed to release said pin.

6. An article lifting mechanism comprising a rigid support beam; arcuate blades having an article piercing end and a free end, said blades pivotally mounted from opposite ends of said beam, means for rotating said blades downwardly into article piercing engagement, a pair of flexible linkages, each linkage connected to the free end of one said blade, a guide for said linkages disposed centrally on said beam between the said blades, said linkages arranged to be drawn down through said guide when said blades are moved into article piercing engagement, a cam carried by said guide to rotate between said linkages, connecting means connecting said linkages, said connecting means arranged to rotate said cam in a predetermined direction when said linkages are drawn downwardly through said guide, cam locking means actuated by said cam when said cam is moved a predetermined distance in said predetermined direction, means comprising said cam to lock said connecting means Within said guide while said cam is in locked position, and manually actuated means to release said locking means whereby said cam is freed to release said pin.

No references cited. 

